Arsenal very close to completing a deal to sign teenage Brazilian
It is being reported today that Arsenal is on the verge of completing the signing of Gabriel Martinelli, according to news emanating out of Brazil and cited by the British media.
The Gunners are said to be so confident that the deal will be concluded and that the 17-year-old will be a huge success that they are prepared to set a date for his first team debut.
The teenager was wanted by the likes of Manchester United and Barcelona but it seems that it is us that have won the battle to secure his services.
The transfer fee is said to be £6 Million and he will be revealed to the world when he turns 18 in June.
The only issue appears to be a work permit, however, the youngster is entitled to an Italian passport and that is the way he will subvert the UK work permit regulations.
Martinelli is set to be the first of Unai Emery’s summer signings and the boss is hoping he will be one of many despite a restricted transfer budget of just £45 Million.
The fact that we, Barcelona and Man Utd were all interested in signing the youngster does indicate that he is a talented individual but he cannot be seen as an answer to many of the problems that we currently face.
There is no guarantee he will adapt to the English game and it is difficult to see him being that good that he will make a huge difference for us and cost only £6 Million.
That said, he is certainly welcomed and hopefully, he will repay the faith that Emery is clearly putting in him.